Late FTs Beat Titans

Nacogdoches, TX -
Denzel Barnes hit two free throws with half a second remaining Saturday night to give Stephen F. Austin a 62-61 victory over Cal State Fullerton in the Etech Lumberjack Classic.

The Lumberjacks improved to 5-2 while the Titans fell to 3-2.

Jacques Streeter had given Fullerton a 61-60 lead with four seconds left with a pair of free throws. Barnes took the inbounds pass, dribbled down court, got a screen at the top of the key and then drove the lane where he collided with Fullerton's Jer'Vaughn Johnson, who was called for a blocking foul on the 5-foot-7 guard.

"In my 40 years of coaching, that was the most incredible call I've seen," said Fullerton Head Coach Bob Burton of the final whistle.

Fullerton was cited for 26 fouls in the game to 15 for the host school.

"Our kids deserved the win. Jacques won it with those free throws. I'm proud of the effort they made to overcome a great deal of adversity. Jacques was sick. Gerard scored only two points because of his hand, but he played defense and gave us a presence on the boards."

Johnson led the Titans with 13 points and they got 11 each from Streeter, Aaron Thompson and Devon Peltier, who made 3 of 5 3-point field goal tries. The Titans made 6 of 10 treys after a 3-for-18 showing the night before in a loss to Central Arkansas. Walt Harris had 20 points to lead the Lumberjacks, who got 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds from Jordan Glynn.

Orane Chin's 3-point field goal for the Titans with 52 seconds left made it a 60-59 lead for Stephen F. Austin. The Titans got a stop when Jereal Scott missed a shot and Streeter was fouled driving to the basket.

Stephen F. Austin got off to an early lead and had its biggest advantage at 11 points five minutes into the game. Fullerton got within 5 points at the half (30-25) and took a 5-point lead with 8 minutes to play. The score was tied 6 times and there were 10 lead changes.